Lung cancer screening: intention to participate and acceptability among Belgian smokers. Issue 6 (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kellen, Eliane; Gabriels, Suzanne; Van Hal, Guido; Goossens, Mathijs C.
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer prevention. Volume 30:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: acceptability -- lung cancer screening -- smoking cessation; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- etiology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention; Periodicals; 616.994052
• DOI: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-8278

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Next to the obvious benefits of tobacco-use cessation, lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans has been proposed as a means to lower lung cancer burden. Achieving an impact of any cancer screening program on cancer-specific mortality largely depends on the uptake. The aim of this study was to estimate the acceptability and intention to participate in a lung cancer screening program among Belgian current or former smokers. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among adults from the Belgian population. Sampling took place within an existing online panel. Results: In total, 83.6% of all respondents ( n = 2727), including current or former smokers and never smokers, believed that offering lung cancer screening to current or former smokers is a good idea. 84.3% of all current or former smokers ( n = 1534) answered that they would likely or very likely participate in a screening program for lung cancer. The majority of current smokers that were willing to be screened said they would also want to receive tobacco-use cessation counseling in parallel with screening (71.8%; n = 486), whereas 9% ( n = 61) would decline. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a Belgian lung cancer screening program would be acceptable and could be well-attended by current or former smokers. Further research should focus on how smokers can be best reached to propose screening, and how tobacco-use cessation counseling can be successfully integrated in a lung cancer screening program.